Abhinandan, captured by PAF in 2019 dogfight with India, retires from IAF

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan after his MiG-21 fighter was shot down during the 2019 India-Pakistan aerial confrontation, has retired from the IAF and joined a private airline as a commercial pilot, Indian media reported.

According to NDTV, Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional carrier FLY91, which began operations in March 2024 and currently operates six ATR 72-600 aircraft.

The report, citing the Press Trust of India (PTI), said Varthaman served in the IAF for 22 years and joined the airline in August. He retired with the rank of group captain and was a recipient of India's Vir Chakra military award.

Varthaman has not publicly commented on his reported move. A spokesperson for FLY91 also declined to provide information about individual employees, describing it as a private matter, according to NDTV.

Varthaman came into the international spotlight in February 2019 when his MiG-21 was shot down during an aerial engagement between Indian and Pakistani forces. He ejected from the aircraft and was subsequently taken into Pakistani custody.